Flashes & lighting
Nikon Nikonos Speedlight SB-101 User manual
User manual for Nikon Nikonos Speedlight SB-101. 30 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Nikon
- Model / document
- Nikon Nikonos Speedlight SB-101
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 30
- File size
- 9.4 MB
- Category
- Flashes & lighting
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
NOMENCLATURE
O Wide-Flash Adapter SW-1 01
(2j 1/4 index
(3) AUTO/FULL index
G) ASA/ISO film speed scale
O Distance scale (in meters and feet)
(D Lockable ball-head
(9 Flash head locking lever
00 Fish symbol
(t-D Cord fastning belt
f2, Sync cord plug
(9 Sensor Unit SU-101
[E Sensor cord
(9 Sensor holdet
[D Sensor holder locking screw
(0 Brackel
2
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FOREWORD
The Nikonos Speedlight SB-101 is on underwoter To use the SB-40'1 with the Nikonos lll, set lhe shutter
eleclronic flosh unit otfering fully outomolic oper- speed diol io 4/60 sec. or slower. The speedlight
olion. Used with the Nikonos lV-A,lhe SB-,104 con go offers lully oulomotic operotion; however, the com-
down lo depths of 50 meters (160 feet)ond wilhslond ero hos no built-in reody-light.
pressures of 6kg/cm2 (85 lb in J. Thus you con use Even though this speedlight is extremely eosy to use,
lhis speedlight in siluotions where regulor speed you should still fomiliorize yourself with its prepo-
lighis would dore nol go, rotion ond bosic operotion os presented in the first
Wilh lhe comero set to "A," the shufier speed is lwo seclions of lhis monuol. For more detoiled
oulomoticolly switched to 1 90sec. for proper flosh informolion, pleose refer to "coNTRoLS lN DETAIL."
synchronizolion. As soon os the speedlighl is A few minules wisely invesled now will poy off loter
chorged up ond reody to fire, o red lightning boll in yeors ol rewording photogrophic experiences.
oppeors in lhe viewfinder os ihe shutter button is
depressed holfwoy lo let you know when to shool.
Then ot lhe inslonl of exposure, the Sensor Unil
SU-'l04 reods the lighl reflected bock from the sub-
jecl lo provide lhe correct exposure. You hove o
choice of two f/slops on outomolic, plus monuol
conlrol ol "FULL" or "4l4" power settings.
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PREPARATION
Prior to using the Nikonos Speedlight SB-101 , check to see
that the O-rings are not scratched and that there is no
sand or foreign matter attached to the rings. Then you
must lubricate the O-rings (shown in red) using the tube of
lubricant provided. Lubrication makes the parts easy to
attach and protects the O-rings from excessive wear.
Apply the lubricant sparingly, yet make sure there are no
gaps between areas of application lt is recommended to
apply lubricant whenever necessary to insure the longest
possible service for the Nikonos Speedlight SB 101 . Spare
O-rings and lubricant are supplied with the speedlight.
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BASIC OPERATION -conlinued
lnstolllhe bqllery clip. Close lhe bollery L lnsert lhe ollqchmenl4_ 9' screw i: inlo lhe hole-' Insert the battery clip into lhe 'chomber.battery chamber. Make sure the Use your thumb to push the center of in lhe brqcket 19.
terminal end goes in first Then line up the cover down until it fits tightly into
the V-shaped notch on the end of the place. Then screw the lid on com-
clip with the white dot on the rim of pletely
the battery chamber. Push the cliP
until it drops into the fully seated
position.
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-, Altqch lhe brqckel lo Tighlen lhe locking R Allqch lhe brqckel lo O lhe cqmero." -' lhe speedlighl. '' wheelcomplelely.Screw the bracket's attachme^. --.^ the locking wheel @ in the di-
screw into the camera's tripod soc<e: 'ect on of the arrow until it goes to the
to secure the two units together tigh. r,. ex:'eme right. Then, insert the bracket
-c..:"ting pin @ into the hole in the
c'ac(et mounting adapter @with the
f,n,o dots aligned; rotate the camera
fcnva'c so that it clicks and locks
rntc otace.
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BASIC OPE RATION n ued -conli
the exposure Setlhesensorlothe ," {7t t'15.Sel colculqlor diql 23 . pink 26 or gteen 28 'l 8' i;I il !?';fi
Rotate the dial until the speed of the posilion. f/number.
film in use is opposite the AUTO/ Depending on the automatic shooting ""X?,?itj
FULL index O. The scale with the fish range and the f/stop you wish to use,
symbol i0 is for underwater shooting, turn the sensor's knob €? until the
while the mountain symbol ar indi- white dot is lined up with the pink dot
cates the one for use "on land." The or the green square.
pink and green lines indicate the auto-
matic shooting range .-i, whereas the
small pink dot and the green square
at the end of the lines indicate the two
usable f/stops for automatic oper-
ation. For example, if you're using
ASA/ISO 100 film underwater, you
have a choice oI f I 4 or f /8 with shoot-
ing ranges of 0.6ru4m (2ru14 ft.) and
0.6ru2m (2ru7 II.) respectively.
12
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:':.':,l.,,:l:::*
Depless lhe shuller lhe piclure.rlO furn on lhe tn '-' speedlight. -v' releose bulton 21.Take
Turn ihe power switch 1e r.lr't!l .r3 holf woy.
white dot is opposite the AUTO nc:' ,','-:^ the speedlight is charged up
:^c ,eady to fire, a red lightning bolt
,', a3oear inside the viewfinder. The
.eac,,,-ight 20 on the back of the
sceec ight can also be used.
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BASIC OPERATION -conlinued
22 furn ofl the 'speedlighl.
To conserve battery power between
shooting sessions, return the power
switch to the OFF position.
Note: When you turn the speedlight off, the
camera reverts to automatic operation with the
shutter speed dial left on "A. '
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CONTROLS IN DETAIL
l** q. b-
'4.. 'r.' rru ,A-
BA ?
1 Fig. zO.Rings tr e
The purpose of using O-rings o^'.i? r, .:^os Soeedlighl is To remove an O-ring, grasp it between your thumb andto seal all joints making the spe:c l- :t-c ete y water- forefinger Pinch your fingers together as you slide them
tight. As explained in the PREDral-i C\ section. you in the direction of the arrows to create slack in the O-ring
should apply lubricant to the O-rin:s ,.,'^:.e,. e r necessary Then grasp the slack portion with your other hand and pullto insure smooth operation and ior: 'e P ease make sure the ring off (Fig I )
to clean all sand and foreign maite. c" inese parts. lf you To install a new O-ring, insert one side of the ring into the
find a ring difficult to clean, remo\/e i cor-rD ete y making groove and hold it in position while rolling the other side of
certain not to scratch it. To insure r,4/a.e.l,on-ness, replace the ring rnto place (Fig 2)
all O-rings when they become scratched or !i/orn
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CONTROTS lN DETAll-continued
NIKONOS IV-A
i
Brqckel i.. Sensorsensor holder.Unit SU-101 attached to bracket via
The positions of the attachment screw for the Nikonos lV-A
and lll are indicated in the diagram. :. ile Nikonos lV-4, certainTo reposition the attachment screw, first unscrew it; then Note: With the 58-707 s bracket attachec models of the optical ftnder far the IJW-'\','kcr 15nm f/2.8 cannat be
\; /.^ dealer nearest you for thescrew it back into the hole or threaded end of the slot. attached. lf this is the case. consult the
Once screwed into the slot, the attachment screw can be necessary mod if ication.
moved f reely to any position.
When using a plastic f rame finder or an optical viewfinder
on the camera, the special sensor holder allows attach-
ment of the speedlight's Sensor Unit SU-101 to the bracket.
To secure the holder to the bracket, slip the slotted end of
the holder into the track with the washer on top and tighten
the locking screw (?. Orient the holder's accessory shoe
as shown in the picture.
16
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Power Switch @
Located on the back of the SB-101 's flash head, the four- "t 14" position
position power switch turns the speedlight on and off as At this setting, the speedlight's light output is reduced to
well as sets the unit for automatic or manual operation. one-fourth of its full value. Since this has the same effect
as halving the guide number, it minimizes the possibility of
"AUTO" posilion overexposure when shooting close-ups.
At this setting, the speedlight's light output is automatically
controlled by the Sensor Unit SU-101 to match the flash- rrOFF'posilion
to-subject distance. Refer to the "Exposure Calculator When the speedlight is not being used, always return the
Dial" section for details on how to determine which f/stop power switch to this position to conserve battery power.
to set on the lens.
rrFULL" posilion
The power switch can be set to this position when you
want to use the SB 101 in the manual mode at full power.
19
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CONTROTS lN DETA|L-conlinued
Exomple'l F ig.1
Exposure Cqlculqlor Diol @
The band located near the top of the handle is the expo- smailer the aperture, the deeper the depth of field, but the
sure calculator dial. The fish symbol indicates the scale to longer the recycling time. Therefore. in choosing an appro-
be used when shooting underwater (Fig 1). while the priate f/stop, you should take all these factors-maximum
mountain symbol shows the correct scale for "on land shooting distance, recycling time. and depth of field into
use (Fig.2). Their purpose is to help you select the usable consideration.
range of fistops for the speed of the film in use and the The following examples explain how to use the exposure
f lash-to-sublect distance. calculator dial:
For Aulomolic Operolion (Exomple l)
For any film speed, you have two f/numbers to choose lf you're using ASA/ISO 100 fl o i':- .a' s.cc: s-r.e:-:from. Each of the f/numbers determines the maximum underwater at distances f rom C 6-4m (2r',Lf..1 a: i j a1o
shooting distance for automatic exposure. The wider the 0.6-2m (2ru7 lt.) alf l8
aperture, the greater the maximum distance; the mini-
mum distance remains 0.6m regardless of the f/number. Note: At dislances closer than approximately 1n, the SB'101's automatic
lf the flash-to-subject distance is the same, the wider the exposurc may not function properly, and averexposure might occut. ln this
aperture you select, the faster the recycling time, but the situation,half to oneit fullis advisablef/stop or useta stapthe SB-1Aldown theon recommendedmanual. Note that,aperturehowever,by one'the
less the depth of field in the final picture. Conversely, the amount of the exposurc compensation required depends on the circum'
20 sfarces and should be determined by trial and error.
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Exomple 2 Exqmple 3 Exomple 4
(Exqmpte 2) (Exomple 4)
With ASA/ISO 100 film and a suojec: I 5 meters (5 feet) At ASA/ISO 100 and "1/4" power, if the subject is one
away, you can shoot at either f l4 or t,B.lf a short recycling meter (3 feet) away, you should set the aperture ring to f/g.time is preferable, use f/4. l{ greate'- deoth of field ii
desired, use f/8. Note: For underwater use, the guide number of the speedlight is reduced
by approx. one.half in comparisan with the ',on land" guide nimber.
For Mqnuql Operolion Depending on the visibility underwater, the maximum shoating distance on
dial.After turning the dial to align the ASA/tSO film speed with autamaticln addition,maytheberecommendedless than that apertureindicated foron themanualexposureshootingcalculatarnay vary
either the AUTO/FUtL index or Ihe 114 indexl, simply read slightly. fherefore, use the calculator dial as a starting point in yaur tests
the carrect exposure. off the f/number which appers directly below the flash-to- for
subject distance; then set this f/stop on the aperture ring
of the lens.
(Exomple 3l
At ASA/ISO 100 and full power underwater, if the subject
is two meters (7 feet) away, you should set the aperture
ring on your lens to f/8.
21
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Cord Foslening Bell O Wide-Flqsh Adopler SW..lO.l O
This bblt can be used to secure bolf- tre sync cord and The Wide-Flash Adapter attached on the SB-101's flash
the sensor cord to the speedlight s l-andle to keep them head increases illumination from 66o to 79o for just the
out of the way while shooting. right amount of coverage when a 2Bmm wideangle lens
is used.
To attach the adapter, unscrew the locking ring and push
the assembly of the adapter/locking ring over the SBIOl's
flash head as far as it will go. Then tighten the adapter by
screwing the locking ring to prevent the adapter f rom acci-
dentally slipping off the flash head.
With the SW-101 attached, the SB-101's guide number is
reduced on land Irom 32 Io 22 aI full power or f rom 1 6 to
11 aI 114 power. Underwater, it is reduced from approx. 16
to approx. 11 at full power or f rom approx. 8 to approx. 5.5
at 1/4 power.
Note: lf the locking ring has slipped aff the adapter, rcattach it to the adapt.
er with the square matks around the ring facing outward.
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ACCESSORY
Speedlighl Cose SS..l0.l
Three cushioned compartments inside this stylish tote bag
house all parts of the Nikonos Speedlight SB tOi, including
the camera. The SS 101 is also available as a replacement
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FTASH SHOOTING TIPS
When using the Nikonos lV-A on Auto in conjunction 4. Now, read off the aperture set on the lens and
with the Speedlight SB-101, the shutter speed is auto- compare it with the two aperture choices you
matically set to 1/90 sec. Therefore, when shooting have on the flash.
fill-in flash in brightly lit shaflow waters, the scene lf at least one o.f the aperture settings required by
brightness may exceed the exposure value deter- the flash is smaller than that set on the lens,
mined by the combination of automatically set 1/90 then the flash will be the main light source. There-
sec. and the aperture required by the flash, thus fore, reset the lens to this aperture and make
resulting in overexposure. To obtain proper flash sure the Sensor Unit SU-l01 is set to the appro-
exposure, make sure the flash becomes the main Iight priate green or pink dot.
source. To do so, follow this procedure: 6. lf both apertures recommended by the {lash are
1. First, take a meter reading of the natural light. wider than that set on the lens, then the natural
Turn off the flash and be sure the shutter speed light will be the main source of illumination and
dial of the NiKonos lV-A is set ai A. overexposure may result. ln this case, turn off the
2. Frame the scene in the viewfinder. Then, s/oMy SB-101 and shoot by available light with the
stop down the lens by turning the lens aperture camera on Auto.
knob until the LED in the vieMinder first begins
to blink. The blinking indicates that the shutter
speed is approx. 1/30 sec. at that particular
f/stop. Now, you know the level of illumination of
the natural Iight.
3. Next, open up the lens one f/stop from the
previous setting. ln so doing, you automatically
change the shutter speed to approx. 1/60 sec.-
1/2 step below the 1/90 sec. automatic synchro-
nization speed which the camera will revert to
when using flash on Auto.
25
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ACCESSORY
Speedlighl Cose SS-.tO.l
Three cushioned compartments inside this stylish tote bag
house all parts of the Nikonos Speedlight SB-iO j includin!
the camera. The SS-i01 is also available as a replacement.
24
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NIPPON KOGAKU K.K'
No reproduction in any form of this booklet'
in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in
critical articles or reviews) . may be made without Printed in JaPan (82.8.8) &-10
written authorization from the publishers
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 30From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.